Black Bear Pass in a…Power Wagon?!

These guys made it down - these were two of the nastier switchbacks. Like someone mentioned earlier, a lot of the safety aspect is experience, not that I'm a pro. There were a couple of other guys in an identical Taco representing Discount Tire and they had no problem. And gave me free stuff. LOL.

 

Ok. Stupid question I guess.

Why is driving BBP even allowed? Clearly people are getting injured or dying. I can't imagine they would just keep something so dangerous open to the public when it seems to be mostly used by thrill seekers.

 

Lots of things are dangerous, if you aren't interested, don't do em. I used to skydive. It was allowed. We don't need anyone banning everything.

 

It's a public county road. I'd bet there are many public roads that have higher fatalities as a % of yearly traffic. In fact here's a link: 30 Most Dangerous Roads In America. BBP did not make the list.

 

Sort of a different viewpoint, but having driven it I can't imagine anyone accidentally getting halfway to the switchbacks: Anyone going that far is a thrill-seeker anyway. If you make it to the steps (descent right before the switchbacks), well, I guess you should've known better by that point. Also, there are signs posted in several places recommending 4x4, short wheel-base, high clearance vehicles. I wouldn't consider the Tundra to be a short wheel-base.

 

There's video out on YouTube of some dude doing black bear in a raptor. Doable yes, recommended , no.

 

Yep

 

My wife's google maps directions to Wellington Lake campground earlier this summer were terrible and I almost flipped my trailer. I got stuck at a high water crossing and couldn't turn around.

I got thin skin for this stuff now. I must be out of thrill seeking. Watching the videos are awesome, but it still gives me heart palpitations. I couldn't do it, even in the Taco.

 

If he had the Doublecab short bed or Extended Cab long bed with the shorter wheelbase he wouldn't have had to try nearly as hard. Those Double cab long bed Tacomas only have a wheelbase I think 3-5" shorter than a Tundra.

 

That's sort-of my point. As someone below pointed out...anyone who doesn't intend to seek a thrill would have backed up fairly early into the drive. It still being a legit county road is what I find perplexing.

 

Can you imagine the amount of money events like FJ and Jeep summits bring to the local economies? I think that’s a factor in the answer. This way the county maintains the ability to close the road when it isn’t safe to travel (as they do).

 

Makes sense. and I was never saying I thought it should be closed. People can do whatever they want at their own risk as long as it's not endangering others. I was just surprised it was allowed.

 

Can't speak for Colorado, but Wyoming follows federal definitions, and to be a trail instead of a road it has to be 50" wide or less. Any wider and it's technically a road; be it Forest Service, County, or otherwise.

 

Ouch !

 

I took my Tundra down BBP in 2018, wouldn’t do it again now that I’ve done it once but it is possible. Plenty of white knuckle opportunities on that trail. Also did Imogene and Poughkeepsie Gulch that week, tons of fun.

 

Looking to drive it next year, possibly.